Do you think 4 children is a ‘big family?’

I was one of 5 and I remember, even back in the 1950s, that we were regarded as being "a very big family". We were very poor, no money, cramped and inadequate housing and a miserable childhood. I made the conscious decision when I married that I'd have only ever have 1 child. If I had my time over again, I'd possibly have had another or maybe not

I have three children and after number three was born a nursing Sister of the old school told me I now had a big family and certainly shouldn't have anymore. I have a couple of friends with four or more and they all have a happy family life.

Both DH and I are only children and think we have missed a lot in not having siblings, but when I read some of the posts about family feuds and upsets think perhaps being part of a bigger family is a mixed blessing.

Cafe tables always seem designed for four people which must make taking a larger family out complicated but otherwise I look with envy and admiration at the bigger family groups. We managed one of each but the second didn’t do sleeping and put me off any more.

Not 4 maybe 6. I've only got a brother and now DM is frail and needing help would be good to have had another sibling to share care as DB lives 2 hours away. I had 3 and might have had 4 but DD2 was early and distressed in labour and DH was so scared that I wouldn't have put him through that again.

We have 5 children, you just get used to the noise level when all AC and GC get together.
It is absolutely joyous ❤️❤️❤️

I think it will be, over population is the biggest threat to the world’s resources, but will never be a popular message.

It’s quite fashionable nowadays to add a fourth child. I wanted to have four, first husband wanted none, so I managed to have two! I would say it’s the upper limit of what people perceive as ‘acceptable’.

All 4 of my grandparents were from families of between 8 and 13. I remember thinking that 8 wasn't that many!
We had 4 and all of them have DC so I now have 7 DGC (shared with the other DGP).
Children are more expensive now for sure and the population debate simmers away along with the fact that a child born in the affluent West consumes far more in its lifetime than a child in the poorer East etc.

I used to love big families when I was a child although I was one of 3. You could lose yourself amongst them. We knew a family of 12 who even had a pony which we all rode . It was a poor but happy family.

I probably shouldn't but I feel sorry for only children.

No Kandinsky to my mind 4 is a neat number especially if the genders are even because each gets a brother and sister. I say this as the youngest of 6 -and our Mum was the middle-ish child of 9. Their was a gap of 9 years before I arrived though so my 2 eldest sisters were 19 and 21 and at work etc and I became an Aunty at 16 months old ! With 19 more nephews and nieces to follow. Still only 1 brother though ?

4 sounds good.
I’m an only as was DH. I have 3 children and am truly envious of the families they now have - sisters/brothers in law, nieces, nephews and other associated relatives. I would have loved to have been part of a bigger family. Life can be lonely without family to support and love you although I appreciate that it’s not always the case
(DD3 wanted 5 but after the 2nd she said no way would she want any more ?)

Yes, I do. I’m 1 of 5, Mr.B is 1 of 6. When we alll get together it’s a very big family!

It is nowadays.
My grandmother was one of thirteen, but never more than five at home at one time; my mother was an only, as I am, ex husband one of two; I have two children neither of whom have children.
All my friends have one or two siblings, two or three children and between one and four grandchildren.

Mum was one of 12,that was large.
DH was one of 4 which was good, always someone to play with.
I was one of 2 , 4 years between us , I felt like an only child most of the time. I would have loved to have had 4 children but we didn’t have the money! So we just had the 2, but if we had had more we wouldn’t have been able to help them all financially, the way that we have helped our 2.

I do, but I'm an only child and only have the two children and one grandchild! That suits me just fine - I can't imagine having a 'big family'. It's entirely up to the parents though - as long as you have the finances to support them, have as many as you want.

My second husband was 1 of 17. His parents were good Catholics with no TV.

Yes, I do.

I was one of 5. My DC have stuck at 2; one for finance reasons and the other because of their views on overpopulation. If you can afford it then 4 isn’t unreasonable. My DB says 2 is enough and he knows everything!

Well, we have 5. I know it's a big family!!! And I still find people are astounded - I think they imagine that they all arrived at once.